Martin supports a-la-carte programming, while the cable industry opposes it. Under a-la-carte programming, cable customers could pick which channels they want rather than pay a flat rate for a bundle of stations.

At first blush, the idea sounds like a good one that could give customers more choice and allow for lower bills. But in reality the logistics of customizing every subscriber's cable package and bill would likely drive up prices. At the same time, many of the smaller niche channels would disappear for lack of subscriber interest, resulting in fewer choices.

Webmaster's Commentary:

What this is really about is that the "basic service" includes the propaganda channels like FOX, CNN, etc. Given the lack of public trust in the corporate media it is unlikely most cable subscribers would keep those channels if they had a choice.

The claim that "the logistics of customizing every subscriber's cable package and bill would likely drive up prices" is totally unfounded since cable companies already track each customers account separately for the premium channels, par per views, etc.

This article has an agenda to preserve the current system, which forces propaganda channels on every cable TV viewer without choice.